U.S. patent application number 11/518041 was filed with the patent office on 2007-03-08 for drinking cup with game piece.
Invention is credited to James W. Huerta, Stephen Alan Smith.
Application Number | 20070051790 11/518041 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 37829145 |
Filed Date | 2007-03-08 |
United States Patent
Application |
20070051790 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Smith; Stephen Alan ; et
al. |
March 8, 2007 |
Drinking cup with game piece
Abstract
A disposable cup for use in a promotional campaign has a
sidewall having a longitudinal seam extending from an open end to
an opposing closed end. The sidewall also has an inner surface and
an outer surface. An indicia corresponds to a promotional event.
The cup has a tab that at least partially conceals the indicia. The
tab is associated with the longitudinal seam.
Inventors: |
Smith; Stephen Alan;
(Naperville, IL) ; Huerta; James W.; (Mequon,
WI) |
Correspondence
Address: |
WALLENSTEIN & WAGNER, LTD.
311 SOUTH WACKER DRIVE
53RD FLOOR
CHICAGO
IL
60606
US
|
Family ID: |
37829145 |
Appl. No.: |
11/518041 |
Filed: |
September 8, 2006 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
|
|
60715055 |
Sep 8, 2005 |
|
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Current U.S.
Class: |
229/400 |
Current CPC
Class: |
B65D 2203/00 20130101;
B65D 3/06 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
229/400 |
International
Class: |
B65D 3/00 20060101
B65D003/00 |
Claims
1. A disposable cup for use in a promotional campaign, the
disposable cup comprising: a sidewall having a longitudinal seam,
an inner surface, and an outer surface, the longitudinal seam
extending from an open end to an opposing closed end; an indicia
corresponding to a promotional event; and a tab associated with the
sidewall, the tab at least partially concealing the indicia.
2. The disposable cup of claim 1 wherein the sidewall is formed
from a paper blank having a first edge and a second edge, the
second edge overlapping the first edge and sealed with a portion of
the sidewall to form the longitudinal seam.
3. The disposable cup of claim 2 wherein the tab is integral with
the second edge.
4. The disposable cup of claim 3 wherein the indicia is located on
a first surface of the tab, the first surface of the tab facing
inwardly towards the outer surface of the sidewall.
5. The disposable cup of claim 4 wherein the first surface of the
tab is temporarily adhered to the sidewall.
6. The disposable cup of claim 5 wherein the tab is separable from
the disposable cup along a perforated edge.
7. The disposable cup of claim 2 wherein a portion of the tab is
located within the longitudinal seam.
8. The disposable cup of claim 7 wherein the portion of the tab
located within the longitudinal seam is sealed between the second
edge of the paper blank and the portion of the sidewall.
9. The disposable cup of claim 1 wherein the tab has a plurality of
selectively separable layers.
10. The disposable cup of claim 9 wherein the plurality of
selectively separable layers comprises a first layer and a second
layer overlaying the first layer, the indicia located between the
first and second layers.
11. The disposable cup of claim 10 wherein the indicia is located
on the first layer.
12. The disposable cup of claim 11 wherein the indicia is located
on the second layer.
13. The disposable cup of claim 1 wherein the sidewall comprises: a
bottom blank having a center panel and a skirt extending outwardly
therefrom, the center panel having an upper surface and an opposing
lower surface; a sidewall blank having opposing first and second
edges, opposing proximal and distal ends and opposing inner and
outer surfaces, the sidewall blank transversely disposed to the
center panel and wrapped about the skirt such that the second edge
overlaps the first edge, the distal end of the sidewall blank
having a bent lip wherein the skirt is received between the bent
lip and a portion of the sidewall blank, the proximal end having a
rolled rim defining an opening to the containment space; a seam
formed between the overlapping first edge and second edge; and a
bottom seal formed between the bent lip and the skirt wherein the
inner surface of the sidewall blank and the upper surface of the
bottom blank substantially define a containment space.
14. The disposable cup of claim 13 wherein the indicia is located
on the sidewall blank, the tab overlaying at least a portion of the
indicia.
15. The disposable cup of claim 13 wherein the indicia
corresponding to a promotional event is located on a first surface
of the tab facing inwardly towards the sidewall blank.
16. The disposable cup of claim 15 wherein tab is attached to the
cup in such a way as to require physical deformation of at least a
portion of the tab in order to reveal the indicia concealed by the
tab.
17. The disposable cup of claim 13 wherein the tab is integral with
the sidewall blank.
18. The disposable cup of claim 17 wherein the tab projects
outwardly from the second longitudinal edge of the sidewall
blank.
19. The disposable cup of claim 13 wherein a portion of the tab is
located within the longitudinal seam.
20. A promotional game utilizing a disposable cup produced from a
paper product, the disposable cup having a sidewall, an open end,
and a closed end, the sidewall having a seam extending from the
closed end upwardly to the open end, the promotional game
comprising: a first indicia corresponding to a promotional event;
and a first tab associated with a portion of the sidewallof the
disposable cup, the first tab concealing at least a portion of the
first indicia.
21. The promotional game of claim 20 wherein the first tab is
integral with the sidewall.
22. The promotional game of claim 20 wherein the first tab includes
a tamper evident feature.
23. The promotional game of claim 20 wherein at least a portion of
the tab must be displaced to reveal the at least a portion of the
first indicia.
24. The promotional game of claim 20 wherein the first tab is
adhered to a portion of the sidewall.
25. The promotional game of claim 20 wherein the first tab includes
a first layer and a second layer overlaying the first layer and
selectively separable therefrom, the first indicia at least
partially concealed between the first and second layers.
26. The promotional game of claim 20 wherein the indicia is located
on an exterior surface of the sidewall of the disposable cup.
27. The promotional game of claim 20 wherein the first indicia is
located on a first surface of the tab, the first surface facing an
exterior surface of the sidewall.
28. The promotional game of claim 20 further comprising a second
tab.
29. The promotional game of claim 28 further comprising a second
indicia at least partially concealed by the second tab.
30. A disposable cup comprising: a sidewall having an open end, a
closed end, an inner surface, an outer surface, and a seam
extending from the closed end to the open end; a first tab
extending outwardly from the seam, the first tab having a tamper
evident feature; a second tab extending outwardly from the seam,
the second tab having a tamper evident feature; a first indicia
corresponding to the first tab; and a second indicia corresponding
to the second tab.
31. A cup comprising: a body having a sidewall having an extension
tab, the tab being associated with indicia in the form of a
game.
32. A cup comprising: a body having a sidewall having a first end
connected to a second end along a longitudinal seam; a plurality of
tabs extending proximate the seam; and indicia positioned on one of
the underside surface of each tab and a portion of the exterior
surface of the sidewall that generally lies beneath the plurality
of tabs, wherein the indicia is in the form of a promotional event.
Description
RELATED APPLICATION
[0001] This Application claims the benefit of Provisional Patent
Application Ser. No. 60/715,055 filed Sep. 8, 2005 which is hereby
incorporated by reference as if fully set forth herein.
TECHNICAL FIELD
[0002] The present invention relates generally to a drinking cup
having an informational feature, and more specifically to a
disposable cup having an indicia concealing tab integral with a
portion of the disposable cup.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0003] Disposable cups often include indicia related to the
contents of the cup. Many times, the indicia is located on the lid
of the cup and includes an indicator feature which may or may not
be activated to highlight the type of material within the
disposable cup.
[0004] Disposable cups have also been used in conjunction with
promotional events, such as games. The games often require removal
of a paper tag to reveal the results of a promotional event. The
tag is typically a separate member fixed to the sidewall of the
cup.
[0005] While the disposable cups according to the prior art provide
a number of advantageous features, they nevertheless have certain
limitations. The present invention is provided to solve problems in
the prior art, overcome certain of these limitations and to provide
advantages and aspects not provided by prior promotional cups of
this type. A full discussion of the features and advantages of the
present invention is deferred to the following detailed
description, which proceeds with reference to the accompanying
drawings.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0006] The present invention provides a cup associated with a game
piece such as for a promotional event. The cup, preferably
disposable, has a body having a sidewall having an extension tab.
The tab is associated with indicia in the form of a game or
promotional event.
[0007] In one embodiment, the present invention provides a
disposable cup for use in a promotional campaign. The disposable
cup has a sidewall having a longitudinal seam extending from an
open end to an opposing closed end. The sidewall further has an
inner surface and an outer surface. The cup further has an indicia
corresponding to a promotional event. A tab at least partially
conceals the indicia.
[0008] In another embodiment, present invention provides a
disposable cup produced from a paper or plastic product. The
disposable cup has a sidewall formed from a blank of the paper or
plastic product. The sidewall has a seam extending from a distal
end of the sidewall upwardly to a proximal end of the sidewall. The
seam is at least partially formed by an overlapping edge of the
blank sealed to an outer surface of the sidewall. The cup further
has a bottom portion. A first indicia corresponding to a
promotional event is associated with the cup. A first tab is fixed
to the disposable cup concealing at least a portion of the first
indicia.
[0009] In another embodiment, the present invention provides a
disposable cup. The disposable cup has a bottom blank having a
center panel and a skirt extending outwardly therefrom. The center
panel has an upper surface and an opposing lower surface. The cup
further has a sidewall blank having opposing first and second
edges, opposing proximal and distal ends and opposing inner and
outer surfaces. The sidewall blank is transversely disposed to the
center panel and wrapped about the skirt such that the second edge
overlaps the first edge. The distal end of the sidewall blank has a
bent lip wherein the skirt is received between the bent lip and a
portion of the sidewall blank, the proximal end having a rolled rim
defining an opening to a containment space. A seam is formed
between the overlapping first edge and the second edge. A bottom
seal is formed between the bent lip and the skirt wherein the inner
surface of the sidewall blank and the upper surface of the bottom
blank substantially define the containment space. The cup further
has indicia corresponding to a promotional event. A tab is located
adjacent the longitudinal seam concealing the indicia.
[0010] In another embodiment, the present invention provides a
promotional game utilizing a disposable cup produced from a paper
or plastic product. The disposable cup has a sidewall, an open end,
and a closed end. The sidewall has a seam extending from the closed
end upwardly to the open end. The promotional game has a first
indicia corresponding to a promotional event. A first tab integral
with a portion of the seam of the disposable cup conceals at least
a portion of the first indicia.
[0011] In another embodiment, the present invention provides a
promotional game. The promotional game has a disposable cup
produced from a paper or plastic product. The disposable cup has a
sidewall, an open end and a closed end, and the sidewall has a seam
extending from the closed end to the open end. A first indicia
corresponds to a game event. A second indicia corresponds to a game
event. A first tab is integral with a portion of the sidewall and
conceals at least a portion of the first indicia. A second tab is
integral with a portion of the sidewall and conceals at least a
portion of the second indicia.
[0012] In another embodiment, the present invention provides a
disposable cup. The disposable cup has a sidewall having an open
end, a closed end, an inner surface, and an outer surface. A seam
extends from the closed end to the open end. A first tab extends
outwardly from the seam, and the first tab has a tamper evident or
indicator feature. A second tab extends outwardly from the seam,
and the second tab has a tamper evident or indicator feature. A
first indicia corresponds to the first tab, and a second indicia
corresponds to the second tab.
[0013] Other features and advantages of the invention will be
apparent from the following specification taken in conjunction with
the following drawings.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0014] To understand the present invention, it will now be
described by way of example, with reference to the accompanying
drawings in which:
[0015] FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a disposable cup of the
present invention;
[0016] FIG. 2 is a bottom view of the disposable cup of FIG. 1;
[0017] FIG. 3 is a side view of the disposable cup of the present
invention;
[0018] FIG. 4 is a side view of the disposable cup of the present
invention showing displacement of a tab;
[0019] FIG. 5 is a side view of a disposable cup of the present
invention showing a tab of a multilayer construction;
[0020] FIG. 6 is a side view of the disposable cup of FIG. 5
showing a displaced multilayer tab, revealing indicia corresponding
to a promotional event;
[0021] FIG. 7 is a side view of a cup of the present invention
showing a displaced multilayer tab, revealing indicia corresponding
to a promotional event;
[0022] FIG. 8 is a side view of a cup of the present invention
showing a displaced multilayer tab, revealing indicia corresponding
to a promotional event; and
[0023] FIG. 9 is a side view of a cup of the present invention
showing a displaced multilayer tab, revealing a separate
promotional piece between the layers of the multilayer tab.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
[0024] While this invention is susceptible of embodiments in many
different forms, there is shown in the drawings and will herein be
described in detail preferred embodiments of the invention with the
understanding that the present disclosure is to be considered as an
exemplification of the principles of the invention and is not
intended to limit the broad aspect of the invention to the
embodiments illustrated.
[0025] The present invention is directed to a disposable cup and
promotional game, event or campaign. The disposable cup is
preferably produced from a paper or plastic product, and is of the
type typically filled with refreshments, e.g. soft drinks, coffee,
ice cream, etc., by fast food restaurants, snack bars, soda
fountains, and the like. Alternatively, the disposable cup may take
a conical cup shape similar to cups routinely filled with a
flavored ice refreshment.
[0026] Referring to the FIGS. 1-9, a disposable cup 10, such as one
described in co-pending and commonly assigned application Ser. No.
10/979,790, which is hereby incorporated by reference herein,
includes a sidewall 14 having an open end 16, an opposing closed
end 18, and opposing inner and outer surfaces 20, 22. The cup 10 is
formed from a sidewall blank 28 wrapped around a bottom blank 30
that is disposed generally transverse thereto.
[0027] The sidewall blank 28 is cut or punched from a continuous
roll of paper, as is the bottom blank 30. The sidewall blank 28 has
a leading edge, adjacent a distal portion of the blank 28, a
trailing edge, which is rolled to form the overturned rim 46
defining the open end 16 of the cup 10 (at a proximal portion of
the cup 10), a first longitudinal edge 50 and an opposing second
longitudinal edge 54. The distal end of the sidewall blank 28
includes a bent lip. The bent lip extends upwardly to form a
circumferential receiver. The bottom blank 30 generally has a flat
central panel wall 56 surrounded by a downwardly extending
skirt.
[0028] When formed, the paper cup 10 has an overlapping
longitudinal sidewall seam or seal 60 at a joint between the first
and second opposing longitudinal edges 50, 54, a bottom seal 62 at
the joint between the skirt of the bottom blank 30 and the bent lip
at the distal end of the sidewall 14, and the curled overturned rim
46 at the proximal or open end 16 of the sidewall 14 leading into a
containment space 66, or cavity 66, of the cup 10.
[0029] The longitudinal sidewall seam 60 is formed by overlapping
one of the first or second longitudinal edges 50, 54 over the other
edge. The bottom seal 62 is formed by bending the distal-most
portion of the sidewall blank 28 to form the bent lip and
circumferential receiver. The bent lip is folded over the skirt
portion of the bottom blank 30 such that the skirt is squeezed
between the distal portion of the sidewall blank 28 and the bent
lip of the sidewall blank 28. As such, the bottom seal 62 is formed
of three plies of paper. A recessed area is created adjacent the
side of the bottom blank 30 opposing the containment space 66 of
the cup 10.
[0030] The typical cup 10 is made from paperboard blanks having a
thermoplastic coating, such as a polyethylene, on at least one side
of the blank. The thermoplastic material permits heating and
sealing of adjacent components. It is understood that alternative
types of coatings, including environmental friendly coatings, may
be utilized with the present invention. For example, the sidewall
blank 28 may be a 185 lb. board and have a 0.75 mil. thermoplastic
coating on one surface (i.e., the surface which becomes the inside
surface 20 of the formed cup 10). A thermoplastic coating may also
be applied to the other surface of the blank in different
embodiments. The bottom blank, however, may be made of a 126 lb.
board and have a thermoplastic coating on one or both of it
surfaces. One surface of the bottom blank 30 may have a 0.75 mil.
thermoplastic coating and the other surface of the bottom blank 30
may have a 0.75 mil. thermoplastic coating. While this disclosure
provides an example of a paper cup formed with paper having a
thermoplastic coating, it is readily understood by one of ordinary
skill in the art that a cup forming machine associated with the
present invention can manufacture different types of cups as well,
including plain paper, waxed paper, etc., and those cups utilizing
adhesive seals instead of poly seals. Further, if a thermoplastic
coating is utilized, it may be applied to one or both surfaces, and
it may be applied in differing thicknesses. The paper types and
thicknesses may vary also.
[0031] The cup 10 may be used in a promotional campaign.
Accordingly, the cup 10 includes an indicia 74 corresponding to a
promotional event. (See, e.g., FIGS. 4 and 6). A tab or a plurality
of tabs 76 at least partially conceals the indicia 74. Separate
indicia 74 may be at least partially concealed under separate tabs
76, or a single indicia 74 may be located under one tab 76 while no
indicia is concealed under other tabs 76. The indicia 74 and tab 76
may collectively be considered a game piece that is associated with
the cup 10, and more particularly to the sidewall 14 of the cup 10.
In a most preferred embodiment, the tab 76 extends from the
sidewall 14 generally at the longitudinal sidewall seam 60.
[0032] The promotional event may be a continuing game where users
are required to collect a number of promotional pieces, clues, or
the like; the promotional event may be of the type where the user
immediately discovers the result of the game; or the promotional
event may be a combination of the two. In any case, at least one
step of the promotional event requires displacement of at least one
tab 76 to reveal at least a single indicia 74.
[0033] Each tab 76 is fixed to the sidewall blank 28, or a
continuation thereof, adjacent the seam 60 and projecting outwardly
therefrom. The tabs 76 may be integral (i.e. formed as a single
unit) with one of the longitudinal edges 50, 54, preferably
integral with the exposed longitudinal edge 54 located along the
outer surface 22 of the sidewall 14, rather than the first
longitudinal edge 50 located along the inner surface 20 of the
sidewall 14 within the containment space 66. (See FIGS. 3-8)
Alternatively, the tabs 76 can be a part of a separate member or
several members of identical paper or plastic stock or one of
different thickness than the cup stock. The separate member or
members may be fixed by sandwiching and/or sealing within the
longitudinal seam 60. (See FIGS. 1 and 2) A weakened line or area
78, such as a row or rows of creases or perforations, may be
included to direct or guide a flexing, folding or tearing of the
tabs 76 to facilitate selective displacement, removal or detachment
of one or more tabs 76 from the cup 10.
[0034] Each tab 76 has a first surface 82 facing the outer surface
22 of the sidewall 14 and a second surface 86 opposite the first
surface 82. The first surface 82 of the tab 76 may be tacked or
temporarily adhered to the outer surface 22 of the sidewall 14 by
heat and pressure, epoxy, or any other suitable adhesive or means
of temporary attachment 88. (See, e.g., FIG. 6) Indicia 74 may be
located on the first surface 82 of one or more tabs 76 or on the
outer surface 22 of the sidewall 14 that generally lies at least
partially beneath one or more tabs 76.
[0035] The tabs 76 preferably include a tamper evident or indicator
feature. Tampering of one or more tabs 76 may be evidenced by
physical alteration and/or required removal of one or more tabs 76
to reveal the indicia 76, especially along the perforations. The
tabs 76 are attached in such a way as to require physical
alteration of one or more tabs 76 to reveal the indicia 74.
Alternatively, a tamper evident feature or indicator feature may be
a coating that could be placed on a surface of the cup 10 which
evidences tampering with one or more tabs 76, for example by fiber
tears, to reveal the indicia 74. This coating includes
thermoplastic coatings and the like.
[0036] According to FIGS. 7-9, the tabs 76 may also be constructed
from a plurality of layers. Here, the first surface 82 is
preferably located on a first layer 90 and the second surface 86 is
located on a second layer 94. As shown in FIG. 8, the layers 90, 94
are preferably selectively separable. That is, the layers 90, 94
are temporarily attached so that interior surfaces 98 face each
other. Here, the indicia 74 is preferably located between the
layers 90, 94, on one or both of the interior surfaces 98. The
indicia 74 may also be located on a separate promotional piece 100,
such as a piece of a puzzle, an illustration, a photograph, or the
like, located between the layers 90, 94, and removable from between
the layers 90, 94. (See, e.g., FIG. 9). Again, weakened lines or
areas 78, such as a row or rows of creases perforations, may be
included to direct or guide a separation of the first and second
layers 90, 94, and/or to facilitate selective removal or detachment
of one or more of the layers from the cup 10.
[0037] It should also be noted that while the cup 10 of the present
invention has been described in conjunction with a promotional
event, the indicia 74 described herein may be information related
to the size of the cup 10 or the contents of the containment space
66, such as the volume of the material within the containment space
10 and/or the type of material within the containment space. The
indicia 74 in either case may be located on exposed surfaces of the
tabs 76 wherein the tamper evident or indicator feature may be used
to indicate which of the plurality of tabs 76 contains and/or
conceals the information desired to be communicated to a user. For
example, each tab 76 may carry or conceal information related to
the flavor of the material within the containment space 66. The
tamper evident or indicator feature would be a means of
communicating which tab 76 carries the desired information to be
conveyed to the user, e.g. the flavor of the material within the
cup 10.
[0038] The terms "first" and "second" used herein are for
illustrative purposes only and are not intended to limit the
embodiments in any way. The term "plurality" as used herein is
intended to indicate any number greater than one, either
disjunctively or conjunctively as necessary, up to an infinite
number. The terms "fixed to," "joined" and "connected" as used
herein are intended to put or bring two elements together so as to
create a unit, and any number of elements, devices, fasteners, etc.
may be provided between the joined or connected elements unless
otherwise specified by the use of a modifying term such as
"integral" or "directly" and/or supported by the drawings.
[0039] While the specific embodiments have been illustrated and
described, numerous modifications come to mind without
significantly departing from the spirit of the invention, and the
scope of protection is only limited by the scope of the
accompanying Claims.
* * * * *